Ukraine signs deal with Sweden paving way to buy up to 150 Gripen fighter jets

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson noted that the agreement envisions long-term cooperation rather than immediate deliveries.

“This agreement is not about any specific deliveries at this moment; it’s about long-term cooperation … and the possibility of reaching a major deal between our countries. Around 100–150 Gripen fighters of the E series, which has just begun production. This would allow the building of a very capable Ukrainian Air Force … This is the beginning of a long journey of 10–15 years,” Kristersson said.

Zelenskyy said the agreement would give Ukraine the opportunity to acquire a significant fleet of Gripen fighters.

“We have begun work to secure Gripen aircraft for Ukraine, and we expect that future contracts will allow us to receive at least 100 of these jets,” the Ukrainian president said.

Earlier reports said that on Oct. 22, Volodymyr Zelenskyy would visit Sweden and meet with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in the city of Linköping, home to defense contractor Saab, the manufacturer of the JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet.

Gripen fighters for Ukraine
In December 2023, then–Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said international partners were considering transferring Swedish Gripen jets to Ukraine. He also noted that the F-16 would remain Ukraine’s main combat aircraft.

On May 28, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said Sweden had suspended plans to provide Gripen fighters to Ukraine to allow for the introduction of F-16s first.

On June 9, Air Force aviation commander Serhiy Holubtsov said Ukraine already had the necessary infrastructure to host Swedish Gripen fighters.

Later, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström said his country had been ready to supply Gripen jets to Ukraine, but official Kyiv had declined for now.

According to the diplomat, Ukrainian authorities concluded that operating two fighter systems simultaneously — both F-16s and Gripens — would be too complex.

On Sept. 22, 2024, then–Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said Kyiv and its Western partners were discussing the possible delivery of Gripen and Eurofighter jets.